Student Technical Research Assistant

Center for Public Partnerships & Research; Topeka (KS); On-site; USD 19,000 - 28,000; Part time

Job summary

Kansas Geological Survey in Lawrence, KS, seeks a Technical Research Assistant to support core library operations, data entry, and photography for documentation and research use.

The role involves manual handling of rock core, inventory management, and basic sample preparation, with training provided for forklift operation and equipment use.

Qualifications

• Enrollment in at least 6 credit hours during fall and spring semesters at the University of Kansas.
• Experience with data entry or databases as evidenced in application material.
• Experience with tools, equipment, or photography as evidenced in application material.
• Completed coursework relating to geology, earth sciences, or a similar field as evidenced in application material.

Responsibilities

• Move, and re‑shelve geological materials, including heavy boxes of rock core.
• Sort, clean, re‑box, inventory, and organize materials within storage facilities.
• May involve transporting samples between locations and operating equipment such as carts or forklifts (training provided).
• Database entry and inventory tracking for wells and rock samples.

Skills

Data entry

Photography

Manual dexterity

Education

Enrollment in at least 6 credit hours at University of Kansas

Tools

Forklift operation

Cart transport

Job description

Position Overview

The Technical Research Assistant position, located in Lawrence, Kansas, supports the Kansas Geological Survey (KGS) Core Library within the Libraries, Outreach, and Business Operations (LOBO) division. The position works under the supervision of the Drill Core Library Manager, and assists with the organization, movement, and basic processing of geological materials used in scientific research.

This is a hands‑on position with a focus on physically moving and organizing rock core, including assisting with the relocation of materials from the KGS North Core Facility to a new core storage warehouse in Lawrence. Work will be completed as part of a small team supporting this effort. Additional responsibilities include data entry, sample preparation, and photography.

The KGS Core Library houses one of the largest publicly accessible collections of geologic drill core in the United States, containing tens of thousands of boxes representing thousands of wells.

The Kansas Geological Survey anticipates hiring 1-2 individuals for this position.

Job Description

50% – Core Handling and Organization Retrieval

• Move, and re‑shelve geological materials, including heavy boxes of rock core.
• Sort, clean, re‑box, inventory, and organize materials within storage facilities.
• May involve transporting samples between locations and operating equipment such as carts or forklifts (training provided).

30% – Data Entry and Inventory Support Assistance

• Database entry and inventory tracking for wells and rock samples.

15% – Sample Preparation and Photography Assistance

• Basic rock preparation activities including sawing, slabbing, polishing, and photographing core samples for documentation and research use.

5% – Other Duties as Assigned

Required Qualifications

• **Enrollment in at least 6 credit hours during the fall and spring semesters at the University of Kansas.

Preferred Qualifications

• Completed coursework relating to geology, earth sciences, or a similar field as evidenced in application material.
• Experience with physical or warehouse work, or willingness to learn as evidenced in application material
• Experience with data entry or databases as evidenced in application material.
• Experience with tools, equipment, or photography as evidenced in application material.

Position Requirements

• Valid driver’s license
• Perform the physical requirements of the position, with or without reasonable accommodation, including:
  • Lifting and moving up to 30 pounds frequently and up to 50 pounds occasionally
  • Standing, bending, climbing, and working in storage environments
• Work in varying environmental conditions, including non‑climate‑controlled warehouse spaces in the winter and summer heat
• Work independently and as part of a team
• Safely perform physical labor in a warehouse and laboratory environment
• Use ladders, carts, and/or forklifts (training provided)
• **During the semester term of the appointment, the student hourly must be enrolled in no fewer than 6 credit hours. For summer periods the student hourly must: (1) have been enrolled in no less than 6 hours in the past spring semester or (2) be pre‑enrolled in the upcoming fall semester in no less than 6 hours or (3) be enrolled in summer session or (4) be admitted to study in the upcoming fall semester. Student Hourlies may be undergraduate or graduate students. (Exceptions granted for GRA/GTA/GA appointments DO NOT apply to Student Hourly appointments).

Employment Conditions

• Student employees are not eligible for remote work arrangements unless an exception is approved by the unit leadership and HR.
• This is an hourly/non‑exempt position. A student employee cannot hold an hourly/non‑exempt position and a salaried/exempt graduate or undergraduate position (GRA/GTA/GA/RUA/RGA) concurrently.

To ensure full consideration, please apply before the application deadline of August 30th, 2026.

Contact Information to Applicants

For technical questions about the position contact Oliva Buchhorn, [e-mail].

For HR questions about the position, contact Annette Delaney, [e-mail].

Advertised Salary Range

$17.00 per hour

Anticipated Start Date

Monday September 14, 2026

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